Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
AUN/SEED-Net
Implementation Guidelines and
Application Form
for
Doctoral Degree Program in Singapore
AUN/SEED-Net Project
As of September 2014
The concept of the SEED-Net evolved at the ASEAN-Japan Summit Meeting held in December
1997 and the central issue became how to upgrade higher engineering education by way of creating
engineering institutions’ networks ASEAN-wide. As a result of a series of discussions and preparations
between ASEAN Member Countries and Japan, the ASEAN University Network/Southeast Asia
Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net) was established in 2001 as a
sub-network of ASEAN University Network (AUN).
After two years of preparation, full-scale operation started in March 2003 for five years as the
Phase 1 cooperation, which was then followed by another five year project as the Phase 2 cooperation,
supported by Japanese Government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In the last decade the AUN/SEED-Net has supported young academic staff of Member Institutions
to acquire higher degrees (master’s degree and/or Ph.D.) by providing them opportunities to study at
leading Member Institutions in the region or at supporting universities in Japan. As a result, around 900
academic staff have already obtained opportunities to study for higher degrees, with most of these
having returned to teach students at universities in their respective countries. At the same time, the
project has strengthened the research capacity of academic staff in ASEAN Member Countries by
supporting collaborative research, academic staff exchange, academic conference, “ASEAN
Engineering Journal” and so on. As a result, around 700 collaborative research projects have been
undertaken, and more than 1,000 academic papers have been published. Over 1,300 in total academic
staff have also participated in exchange programs between Member Institutions in the network. Through
these activities the AUN/SEED-Net has succeeded in strengthening the engineering faculties of each
Member Institution.
Based on these remarkable achievements, the ASEAN Member Countries, Member Institutions,
the Government of Japan and JICA have a strong intention to continue the AUN/SEED-Net aiming to
bring about larger impacts not only to other universities in the region and Japan, but also to industry and
community by making more direct contribution to the socio-economic development in the region and
Japan. After continuous discussion, all parties agreed to implement the Phase 3 Project of
AUN/SEED-Net with these following objectives :
2. Program Concept
NUS: NTU:
Bioengineering Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering Computer Engineering
Electrical & Computer Engineering Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Engineering & Technology Management Materials Science and Engineering
Industrial & Systems Engineering Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
(1) To increase the number of high qualified faculty staff with doctoral degree in engineering at
Member Institutions to contribute to a sustainable development of ASEAN countries.
(2) To strengthen human networking among teaching staff of Member Institutions.
4. Applicant Eligibility
(1) Applicants must be either young teaching staff of Member Institutions, or young graduates of
Member Institutions who are strongly motivated to have a professional career as teaching staff
at Member Institutions.
(2) Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree with honours (at least 2nd Class Upper) or its
equivalent or master’s degree, and should be ranked within top 10% of the class for bachelor’s
degree, in principle, (a certified document of class rank is required), and have a Cumulative Grade
Point Average (Cumulative GPA) of more than 3 in the 4-scale grading system or equal to/more than
4 in the 5-scale grading system/at least 7.5 in the 10-scale grading system.
(3) Applicants are expected to submit their TOEFL and GRE scores in support of their applications.
Average scores for NTU admission are TOEFL 580 (88 in internet-based/230 in computer-based
test) or GRE 1,250 with 3.5 in writing or equivalent. Minimum scores for NUS admission are
TOEFL 92 (in internet-based test), or GRE minimum scores of 320 for the verbal & quantitative
sections with 3.5 for the analytical section. Applicants without English test score may be requested
to take administered test or placement test. Exemption of English test score may be applied to
applicants studying in or graduating from English-speaking environment.
(4) Applicants must be under the age of 35 at the time of enrolment and capable of carrying out
independent research.
(5) Applicants who have already received another equivalent major award, scholarship or a salary to
undertake a proposed course are not eligible for scholarships.
Up to ten (10) scholarships to each Host Institution for the Japanese fiscal year 2015.
The scholarships cover tuition fees, living allowance, health insurance, and a round-trip air ticket in
accordance with Host Institution’s and AUN/SEED-Net regulations.
The commencement of scholarship should be within the Japanese Fiscal Year 2015; that is, awarded
students should commence their study within April 2015 – March 2016. The duration of the scholarship
is strictly four (4) years, counting from the day of arrival at the Host Institution. Students who need more
than four years to acquire a degree will be expected to self-finance during period of extension.
2) AUN/SEED-Net, in consultation with the Host Institution, may suspend or terminate the
award of any student who fails to maintain satisfactory progress at the Host Institution.
3) Students who fail to obtain a PhD degree eventually may be liable to pay back the research
fee and stipend subsidies received.
The applicants agree to the condition that AUN/SEED-Net has the right to use photos of the persons
engaged in AUN/SEED-Net activities for advertising or promotional purposes of PR and report without
consent for each individual case.
9. Application Procedure
(1) For NTU, the applicants must apply online at NTU’s website and specify “AUN/SEED-Net
Scholarship” in the application form. (In the item “Research Scholarship”, select “Others” and fill
in “AUN/SEED-Net” in the provided box.)
(2) For NUS, the applications could be submitted by paper-based or web-based (online).
“AUN/SEED-Net Scholarship” should be specified in the application form. (For online
application, in the item “Preference - Source of Finance”, select “Other Financial Assistance” and
fill in “AUN/SEED-Net” in the provided box.)
*Please note that NUS/NTU will conduct an interview with short-listed candidates.
Note: The application fee at NTU and NUS is waived for AUN/SEED-Net applicants.
The printed form of the applications and the required documents are to be sent by Sending Institutions
via post to the AUN/SEED-Net Secretariat by January 31, 2015
To fill in AUN/SEED-Net Application Form in Microsoft Excel format, please type all entries in yellow box on
the application form.
Once completed, please DO NOT convert the file to other file types other than Microsoft Excel. Converting the
file type to PDF is not acceptable. Handwritten application and other formats of the application form are
prohibited.
In addition to the application form, the following "Supporting Documents" are required:
1. This application form, completed with photo & signature
2. Official Bachelor’s Degree certificate (original or certified copy)
3. Official Bachelor’s transcript with grade points (original or certified copy)
4. Official Master’s Degree certificate (original or certified copy)
5. Official Master’s transcript with grade points (original or certified copy)
6. Abstract of Master’s thesis
7. Certificate of English Proficiency , e.g. score of TOEFL and GRE or equivalent test (if any)
8. Certified letter of Class Rank of the Bachelor’s study from the Dean or Registrar Office of your
graduated institution (Form provided in attachment 2)
9. Letter of endorsement from the Rector or Dean of Member Institution to which you belong (with current
status or position in case you are a faculty staff)
10. Letter of recommendation from your advisor (Form provided in attachment 3)
11. Letter of recommendation from the Dean or Head of the Department to which you belong (Form
provided in attachment 3)
12. Medical check-up certificate by a licensed doctor
The AUN/SEED-Net Application Form in Microsoft Excel format must be emailed to phdsin@aun-seed.net
with subject line "Application: PhD SIN 2015". The printed version of the AUN/SEED-Net Application Form
and Host Institution’s Application Form with the Supporting Documents must be sent to AUN/SEED-Net
Secretariat via post.
***The applicants are required to fill in the application form in Microsoft Excel Format only.
The format can be downloaded from http://www.seed-net.org/application_form.html
Signature ...........................................................
Position .............................................................
Institution ..........................................................
Date ..................................................................
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
This form must be completed, put into a separate envelop, sealed, and signed right on the seal by the referee
him/herself, otherwise the recommendation will be invalid.)
This part is to be completed by applicant.
Full Name: __________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Program of Study
1. Place of Study ______________________________________________________________
Program applying ______________________________________________________________
2. Place of Study ______________________________________________________________
Program applying ______________________________________________________________
This part is to be completed by the person completing this Letter of Recommendation Form.
Full Name: ________________________________________________________________________
Position / Title: _____________________________________________________________________
Organization: ______________________________________________________________________
Contact Address: ___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Tel: ____________________________________ Fax: _____________________________________
Mobile: _________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________
1. What is your candid opinion of the applicant’s potential to complete the program applied for
considering his/her:
(a) intellectual capacity, promise of productive scholarship, and ability to carry out independent
research;
(b) creativity and originality;
(c) relative standing among contemporary graduates;
(d) ability to pursue higher education for which the medium of instruction is English
Strongly Recommend
Recommend without reservation
Recommend with some reservation
Do not recommend
Additional Comments:
_________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Signature_____________________________________
Date_________________________________________